Thursday, April 3: Day 4

Thursday, April 3

John Camp
Last night, our Earthwatch field program director, Dr. Dan Stover, gave us an excellent presentation on the science behind global warming. The data and modeling projections presented a very compelling case for the contribution of advanced levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) toward mean temperature increases. Spent this morning measuring tree stumps in a logged portion of the forest. The stumps are mapped using a global positioning device, and then the diameter and height of the stumps are recorded. At then end of the process, we downloaded the data into computer files and produced a map of our input. This data will be used for various calculations in the study, including the estimated biomass of the trees removed.

Ada Leung
Today I helped with the stump project, which to be quite honest, sounded quite boring to me when the researchers asked for volunteers. I mean, I’m here to battle climate change, to advocate eco-friendliness, to save the environment! And I will accomplish that by…measuring tree stumps? As soon as we arrived to the logged area of the forest, I realized this would be an eye-opening experience that put our purpose in perspective. The reason for measuring a stump is to use the data to extrapolate the tree’s former size before it was cut down. With this, we could calculate the biomass of the tree when it was alive to help understand the tree’s role in absorbing carbon dioxide. In a logged area, the ability to take in the CO2 in the atmosphere would assumedly be lower; this study allows us to quantify the impact. Standing in the middle of a logged plot was immensely unsettling. After spending two days in a beautiful forest, it felt so uncomfortable to be in a forest made so ugly by human activity. Stumps littered the area; decaying branches were sprinkled across the landscape, with small, skinny trees--the ones that were spared--left sparsely standing. Even though I was re-assured that the forest would grow again, the guilt of not always recycling hit me.

Shree Palem
We had a great day today working in the field again, mostly mapping tree stumps and conducting laser measurements that simulated the terrain (contours) for Lead Scientist Jess Parker’s experiment site. All this will be fed into a model--along with other information--to calculate biomass and carbon flux in the region. Rick and I went on a hike yesterday and checked out the different marshlands and trails while watching the sun rise. It was great. Dan gave us a fantastic presentation on climate change, global warming and the severe impacts (both environmental and socioeconomic) we could face in the near future due to the disruption in environmental balance and human activity. It’s simply amazing to know how many individuals have dedicated their lives to making this world a better place through conducting research and spreading awareness. Knowledge and information are key components in creating a better and sustainable society in these changing times. I think the HSBC Climate Partnership is doing exactly that by empowering us with knowledge and helping us foster new relationships.

Sabrina Spencer
Today, Jess and his team showed us the first “picture” of our progress here at SERC. We saw a topographical map of the forest plot that we are currently mapping; the measurements for this map were taken by previous Climate Champions. By the end of our work here, we’re hoping to have a complete map of tree species for the 100x100-meter forest plot that we’re working on. Only 50 (or so) of the 10x10-meter subplots to go! In the past 48 hours, we’ve heard presentations on the science and socioeconomic impacts of climate change. When we became Climate Champions, we all knew that climate change was a problem. But I don’t think we knew the extent of the issue that we’re dealing with. We don’t just need to protect the trees and the animals from the effects of climate change--we need to protect ourselves, too. As Climate Champions, we feel more strongly than ever that it is our job to help make a difference. As much as we love it here, we can’t wait to get home and start working toward a solution!

Sara Tahvildari
White hickory, sweet gum, ironwood: what do they all have in common? These are the many common species of trees that we are encountering, measuring and mapping. The weather was very cool today. Out of 100x100-meter plot, we have completed close to four columns. Working today with Sabrina and Mire was great. Our teamwork to complete our subplots was very assembly-line like. The big thoughts that reside on all our minds--now that we have seen the scientific evidence of climate disturbance caused by CO2 emissions and its socioeconomic effects--are worrisome. It has been made clear that global warming is not just about hot weather or an increase in temperature. It’s about cascading problems that will affect us in many ways--putting pressure on our world’s food and freshwater supply, and potentially putting Amsterdam and Florida underwater in less than 40 years--if behavioral changes are not made now. Thoughts are very raw in all our minds and right now we are very uncomfortable about the reality of things. These can be the catalyst for change as we go back home to communicate and implement what we have learned here.

Jane Vohwinkel
Dan’s presentation on the “science” behind climate change was excellent. I forgot how fascinating science can be. Or, maybe I am now more open to the applicability of it to my everyday life and--more importantly--the value that understanding brings to securing our collective futures. This morning we tagged/identified more trees. I got to use the laser to determine the coordinates on the grid (and felt like Laura Croft!). This afternoon, we measured the trunks of a section of the forest where the trees had been cut. My job was to obtain the coordinates with a global positioning device. Technology has really aided scientists in performing some of the more tedious aspects of the research. I’m really learning a lot. More sessions this evening and tomorrow. Day four from the field…Jane.